|
|
U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs Office Press Release |
|
|
|
Commander J.C. Yost JOC(AW) Deborah Carson (619) 524-9562 or e-mail: c3fpao@coronado.navy.mil |
Public Affairs Office Code J00P U.S. Third Fleet FPO AP 96601-6001 |
||
October 28, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USS Constellation Carrier Battle Group
set to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
San Diego, Ca. - In one week, more than 8,000 Pacific Fleet Sailors will deploy for a six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the North Arabian Sea. Naval forces of the USS Constellation Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) will depart San Diego on November 2nd.
The Constellation Battle Group, based in San Diego, will deploy with the following San Diego-based ships: the cruisers USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Valley Forge (CG 50); destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS Milius (DDG 69) and the frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). Other units include the fast attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771), based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the fast combat support ship USS Rainier (AOE 7), based in Bremerton Wash.
The crew of the San Diego-based destroyer USS Kinkaid (DD 965) will participate in the Navy's innovative Sea Swap program - they join the Constellation Battle Group, but their ship won't. In coming months, Kinkaid's crew will decommission their ship in San Diego and then fly overseas to swap out with the crew aboard the destroyer USS Fletcher (DD992), currently deployed with the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group in the Arabian Gulf. Fletcher's crew will fly home, while their ship - now manned with Kinkaid's crew old crew - will join up with the recently arrived Constellation Battle group.
Sea Swap allows crews to spend more of their six-month deployment on station and less time in transit.
Another ship in the Constellation Battle Group, USS Milius, will be the first guided-missile destroyer to deploy overseas under the Optimal Manning program. Milius will deploy with a crew of 233 enlisted Sailors, a 19 percent reduction in the original manning for that ship. The reduction in the ship's manning has been made possible by automating several systems and installing do-it-yourself services such as laundry.
The Battle Group's preparations for deployment included a Pacific Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the coast of Southern California from October 17-29. The exercise tested the force's ability to respond to operational scenarios they might encounter during the deployment, which will be the 21st deployment for the 41-year old Constellation.
USS Constellation, a Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier, displaces nearly 88,000 tons, Constellation is home to more than 5,500 Sailors. It carries approximately 75 combat support and support aircraft. From its 4.5 acre flight deck, it can quickly launch and recover the world's most modern military aircraft that operate with other elements of the U.S. armed forces as well as those of allied nations.
-USN-
Notice to media:
USS Constellation will be departing Naval Air Station North Island, Nov. 2 at 0900. Rear Adm. Barry Costello, Commander, Destroyer Group One, and Capt. John W. Miller, Commanding Officer of USS Constellation, will be available for questions at 0745. Media interested in covering the USS Constellation departure should call AIRPAC Public Affairs at (619) 545-1133. Due to security requirements, 24-hrs notice is required for access of satellite trucks.
USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), USS Valley Forge (CG 50), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Thach (FFG 43) and USS Higgins (DDG 76) will be departing from Naval Station 32nd St. on the morning of Nov. 2. Media covering departure need to be at Pass and ID at approximately 8 a.m.
Please call LT Charlie Brown at (619) 437-2737 at Naval Surface Force Public Affairs to confirm time.
USS Columbia (SSN 771) will depart from Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Media wishing for additional information regarding Columbia's departure, call CDR Kelly Merrell at (808) 473-0911 at Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs.
USS Rainier (AOE 7) will depart from Naval Magazine Indian Island on Nov 2 about 0900.
Media interested in covering her departure should contact JOC Joe Staker at 360-981-7574 or Mr. Rick Huling at 206-220-6530.
USS Constellation Carrier Battlegroup
Constellation Battle Group Commander
Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group One Naval Air Station North Island,
Rear Adm. Barry Costello San Diego, CA
Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7 Naval Station San Diego CA
Captain Mark Balmert
Commander Carrier Air Wing Two Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA
Captain Mark I. Fox
Aircraft Carrier
USS Constellation (CV 64) Naval Air Station North Island
Captain John W. Miller San Diego, CA
Guided Missile Cruiser
USS Valley Forge (CG 50) Naval Station San Diego, CA
Commander Patrick C. Rabun.
SQUADRON HSL-49 Det. 5
Guided Missile Cruiser
USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) Naval Station San Diego, CA
Captain Faris T. Farwell
SQUADRON HSL 45 Det. 5
Guided Missile Destroyer
USS Higgins (DDG 76) Naval Station San Diego, CA
Commander Michael M. Gilday
Guided Missile Destroyer
USS Kinkaid (DD 965) Naval Station San Diego, CA
Commander Kim A. Parker
SQUADRON HSL-45 Det. 6
Guided Missile Destroyer
USS Milius (DDG 69) Naval Station San Diego, CA
Commander Jeffrey A. Harley
Guided Missile Frigate
USS Thach (FFG 43) Naval Station San Diego, CA
Commander William A. Sheehan
HSL 43 Detachment 2
Attack Submarine Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Columbia (SSN 771)
Commander Duane R. Ashton
Fleet Oiler/Ammunition Ship Naval Station Bremerton, WA
USS Rainier (AOE 7)
Captain P. Clay Pinson
Fighter Squadron 2 Naval Air Station Oceana
(VF-2 Bounty Hunters) Virginia Beach, VA
CDR Andrew Whitson
Strike-Fighter Squadron 151 Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA
(VFA-151 Vigilantes)
Commander Mark Hubbard
Strike-Fighter Squadron 137 Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA
(VFA-137 Kestrels)
Commander David Dober
Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323 Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, CA
(VMFA-323 Death Rattlers)
Lieutenant Colonel Gary Thomas
Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 Naval Air Station
(VAQ-131 Lancers) Whidbey Island, WA
Commander John Lockler
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 116 Naval Air Station Point Mugu, CA
(VAW-116 Sun Kings)
Commander Kevin Andersen
Sea Control Squadron 38 Naval Air Station North Island,
(VS-38 Red Griffins) San Diego, CA
Commander William J. Hart
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2 Naval Air Station North Island,
(HS-2 Golden Falcons) San Diego, CA
Commander Stephen J. Vissers
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 2 Naval Air Station North Island,
(VRC-30 Det. 2 Providers) San Diego, CA
Officer in Charge: LCDR Jeff Alves
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 43 Naval Air Station North Island, CA
Detachment 2
(HSL-43 Battle Cats)
Officer in Charge: LCDR Kurt Merkling
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 45 Naval Air Station North Island, CA
Detachments 5 and 6
(HSL-45 Wolf Pack)
Det 5 Officer in Charge: LCDR Richard O'Connell
Det 6 Officer in Charge: LCDR Jon Lazar
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 47 Naval Air Station North Island, CA
Detachment 4
(HSL-47 Sabrehawks)
Officer in Charge: LCDR Sean Malone
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 Naval Air Station North Island, CA
Detachment 5
(HSL-49 Scorpions)
Officer in Charge: LCDR Scott Walsh
U. S. Navy web site: http://www.navy.mil
U.S. Air Forces Pacific web site: http://www.airpac.navy.mil
U.S. Surface Forces Pacific web site: http://www.surfpac.navy.mil
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
